AuthorTopic: Etiquette question  (Read 8275 times)

Offline piffany

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Etiquette question

on: June 22, 2011, 02:24:39 pm
Just curious, what's the proper etiquette for critiquing someone's work? Is it generally frowned upon to critique people better than you? Any other etiquette pointers would be very useful too. Thanks :)
--Piffany
Disclaimer: I am still fairly new at pixel art, so please don't be offended by my negative critiques :)

Offline ptoing

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #1 on: June 22, 2011, 02:41:59 pm
You can critique anyone. Just because someone is technically better than you does not mean you could not spot something they missed, even big things. Or you could have a better idea towards some solution they might not think of.

Try to be polite and helpful and if possible point out the good as well as the bad.
Also please not stuff like "that elbow looks odd" and then that's it. Elaborate on your critiques.

That's pretty much it
There are no ugly colours, only ugly combinations of colours.

Offline piffany

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #2 on: June 22, 2011, 05:12:56 pm
Thanks ptoing! I was hoping for an admin's opinion on this.
--Piffany
Disclaimer: I am still fairly new at pixel art, so please don't be offended by my negative critiques :)

Offline Mathias

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #3 on: June 23, 2011, 01:33:18 am
Even though, IMO, I'm unusually resilient in the face of honest harsh crit, I'd say it's more peer-like to pair negatives with positives - point out flaws/things gone wrong, but at the same time commend for the good.

Criticism seems to have such negative connotations in most minds, generally. In the real world, it's often better to say nothing because the person in question either doesn't know how to interpret crit in order to extract useful information from it or it's not an appropriate topic to initiate in the first place. Plus, crit may not even be useful in the first place due to gaps in skill be too large, between crit'er and crit'ee.

But here in this site, that's the purpose. You're not here unless you want it. So not a whole lot of etiquette conscientiousness necessary. Just be human. Hold the crit recipient's best interests in mind as you attempt to help them understand how to improve. It's called "constructive" criticism, because there's also destructive criticism. Stick to the former.

Offline EyeCraft

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #4 on: June 23, 2011, 02:27:16 am
Criticism seems to have such negative connotations in most minds, generally. In the real world, it's often better to say nothing because the person in question either doesn't know how to interpret crit in order to extract useful information from it or it's not an appropriate topic to initiate in the first place. Plus, crit may not even be useful in the first place due to gaps in skill be too large, between crit'er and crit'ee.

I was at a party last weekend and I started critiquing the pecan tart they had. The sprinkles introduced a disharmonious colour composition to the piece (I'm serious!). That did not go down well at all. Turns out the hosts girlfriend had spent all this time making the tart in the early hours of the morning to surprise her boyfriend and it was this really sweet gesture, etc. The crit left everybody completely silent, staring at me like I had just murdered a puppy in front of them. Which I would never do, I love animals.

That being said, I STILL say never be afraid to give constructive criticism! I would do it again. Maybe next time she'll use white sprinkles instead of multicolour  :D

Offline Mathias

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #5 on: June 23, 2011, 02:39:08 am
Bahaha, awesome story, Tyone! That's hilarious. But seriously, critiquing the color composition of the tarts??? hahaha You're a freak! Yeah, I'd say that was a time when crit wasn't really needed hehe.
I've gotten myself into similar situations. Nothing that goofy, though. Oh man, especially women can't take critiquing their food. Have you noticed that? I think you have.

Offline piffany

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #6 on: June 23, 2011, 02:47:56 am
The sprinkles introduced a disharmonious colour composition to the piece

Hahaha that's harsh, but I would secretly cringe at pecan tarts with rainbow sprinkles too (anything with rainbow sprinkles, in fact).

Thanks for the advice guys.
--Piffany
Disclaimer: I am still fairly new at pixel art, so please don't be offended by my negative critiques :)

Offline Argyle

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #7 on: June 23, 2011, 06:28:52 am


Looks like we have a pastry chef that doesn't know when it is and isn't appropriate to dither so many colors together. Think about the sprinkle clusters, man!

Sorry, that was just the best story, Eyecraft. <3

But yes, if you spot something that somebody hasn't already pointed out, your peer would only seek to gain from you telling them about it! Well, in most cases... There are the occasional apples that just ignore it all. "style choice" or "I'm only 8" or "my arm looked like that when I broke it, so you're wrong".

Even if you may not have the skill to render it in a way that they might, you can still do a really quick edit even if it is just a big sloppy circle with an arrow pointing at it for you to explain in text if need be. I have learned much from this forum from both the textual advice and edits that this community is so generous about giving away - in my own threads as well as in the other 99% of the time when I'm in lurk mode.

Offline EyeCraft

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #8 on: June 23, 2011, 06:52:29 am


Quick edit. Okay I'll stop now  :-X

Damn this is actually making me a little hungry.  :lol:

Offline Helm

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Re: Etiquette question

Reply #9 on: June 23, 2011, 07:02:36 am
Those were just saved as jpgs. Give them here to me, I will... fix them.

The main difference between reality and Pixelation is that in real life I do not offer critique unless explicitly asked for my opinion. In Pixelation it's a given that if one posts, they're looking for feedback. This is a good distinction to keep in mind.

As to your original question, Pifanny, do not worry, there is no pecking order in Pixelation. If you spot something that you think could be fixed, by all means, courteously let the artist know. This is what this place is about.